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I’ll get you something shiny.
…Shiny?
New. Different. Forged just for you.
For all his centuries of experience, his mind melded to mine, and his undeniable intelligence, Crow is, after all, still a crow.
The next cackle is verging on exuberant. One surveillance mission underway.
I roll my eyes, and make a good show of keeping up the search for the rest of the night, covering long distances, from the mountain at the edges of the Hollow’s shores to the inner woods.
I return to the grounds nearing the high keep, taking a long way. I’m fairly certain I’m being followed, or I’d check the keep’s doors. If she’s in there, they should be open again. I’ll have to send Caenan to one of the side entrances.
The moment I enter the makeshift residence I made a day ago, I feel her. Smell her. Which is logical; after all, she was here only a few hours ago. Except her scent is fresh, stronger than it ought to be.
It never would have occurred to me that she’d come here, of all places. But it should have. Oh, poor little darling.
I stalk through the hallways, following the smell of fresh wood and honey and spices until I reach my bathroom again.
And here she is, head thrown back, leisurely soaking in the warm water, like she hasn’t led me, along with every single lord on this island, on a merry chase for the better part of a day.
The arch took her to the thing closest to home. Of course it wouldn’t be Junis’s side. Of course it wouldn’t be the high keep, which she’s never stepped into. It might technically belong to her, but it’s not home.
The strength of my relief as I take her in, unharmed, comfortable, with her head thrown back, is only equal to my sudden anger.
This entire day has been one long ordeal and it’s completely her fault.
I'm going to strangle her for the concern she caused. Throttle her.
“You left the house,” I growl, prowling inside.
“Yeah.” She has the sense to wince.
I’m not done with the laundry list of offenses. “You made Caenan take you to the conclave, though your thoughts give you away.”
“Not my best move.”
“And then you acted like a pretty little idiotic brat again. Opening your mouth when you should have been quiet.”
Is she even capable of being reasonable?
“You know, I find that highly offensive.”
I’ve reached her now, and one of my hands clasps her throat, tightening around it. She lets me, those shifting eyes remaining fixed on mine as I bend to her forehead, and press my lips there. Then lower, to her cheek. Her neck.
I have to make use of all the restraint I possess to not kiss that pout away, next. My eyes are inexorably drawn to her mouth.
“You could have died,” I snarl.
“I didn’t.” She has the gall to grin, clearly pleased with the fact that she’s testing my patience as well as my sanity.
I didn’t think the portal could have brought her back here. To me. These walls that didn’t even exist two days ago are the closest thing to a home that she has on Ilvaris.
“And what have you learned from this?” I ask her.
“Fairies suck. I’m not fond of iron. Magic makes literally no s?—”
I don’t let her finish, pulling the little brat out of the pool, and bending her over the jarred crystal edge.
